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€20 million flood defence scheme in Blackpool given the go-ahead

Thursday, 11 March 2021 17:12

A €20 million flood defence scheme in Cork City has got the go-ahead from the Minister for Public Expenditure.

The proposed River Bride Flood Relief Scheme at Blackpool will see flood walls, earthen embankments and pumping stations built along the river, if it passes a judicial review.  

Around 206 homes and 87 commercial buildings will be protected by the scheme, most of which suffered the effects of flooding three times in four years between 2010 and 2013.

Speaking to RedFM News Cllr Ken O'Flynn says it's a welcome move:

"There will be a 12 week period for the judicial review and observations. So there may be further delays down the line, but we are taking a very big step towards getting people insured again so that they can get home insurance and business insurance in Blackpool. We have a huge problem with dereliction in Blackpool, and there has to be in alignment with (A) if a building may flood again, who wants to rent it and [B] the other problem is, how can you get business insurance or household insurance so why would you invest in Blackpool. So with this very positive step and the developments that are going on by local authorities in Blackpool, we're going to see Blackpool finally as an urban village, be redeveloped and become a new, exciting place to live in the north side."

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